Justin Lynch with “National Security, Pragmatism, and Human Rights”

“…failing to prevent our allies from recreationally kidnapping and raping Afghan boys will hinder the United States’ efforts in Afghanistan.”

Chris Zeitz reviews Will McCants recent book in “Doomsday Scenario: #Reviewing The ISIS Apocalypse”

“McCants discusses other revolutionary and apocalyptic movements in the history of Islam, and notes that these groups envisioned remaining in existence for some time. The Islamic State seems to be operating in the same way. Despite the group’s seizure of the plains of Armageddon, which appeals to the jihadi grunts, this group is building something more permanent though at the same time terrifying.”

Lemar Farhad with “Why Peace with the Taliban is a Bad Idea”

“The battle of Kunduz is yet another sign that there can be no reaching peace with the Taliban. The notion that the Taliban and the current Afghan government can coexist peacefully is a myth….Establishing peace with the Taliban is both morally objectionable and illogical because it will be tantamount to legitimizing a proxy force subservient to Pakistan’s interests.”

And finally, Mike Denny with “The Legacy of Task Force Smith”

“How did an Army that operated globally with great capacity and tenacity suffer a near catastrophic defeat from a large but low-technology enemy?”